Bag-share or take-a-bag, leave-a-bag programs

Businesses, charities, and not-for-profits are not required to charge fees on paper and reusable shopping bags that have already been used by a customer and returned to be re-used by other customers.

It is also not required to report the number of bags distributed that have already been used by a customer at least once.

Important information If a business, charity, or not-for-profit provides a reusable bag-share program, they should work with Vancouver Coastal Health to address how they will sanitize them effectively. This means the reusable bags must be washable or constructed from a material that can be effectively sanitized.

Shopping bags for prescription drugs

Pharmacies are not required to charge fees on paper and reusable shopping bags used to transport prescription drugs, or to report the number of bags distributed for this purpose.

Charitable food services

Registered charities and not-for-profits are not required to charge fees on paper and reusable shopping bags used to provide food for free or at low cost, or report the number of bags used for this purpose.

Important information Organizations must be incorporated and in good standing under the Society Act, or registered as a charitable organization under the federal Income Tax Act to qualify for the charitable food services exemption.

Small paper bags

Businesses, charities, and not-for-profits are not required to charge fees on small paper bags (less than 15 cm x 20 cm when flat), or report the number of small paper bags distributed.

Large shopping bags

Plastic shopping bags used to transport linens, bedding, or other similar large items that cannot easily fit in a paper or reusable shopping bag are permitted.

Other types of bags

The by-law for shopping bags does not apply to other types of bags. This means that there is no ban or required fees for bags, made from any material, used to:

Fact 2

Fact 3

As contaminants, plastics that are labeled or described as compostable, degradable, or made from plants are most likely to be removed from composting and recycling streams and then disposed to landfill or incinerator.